2020 has been a strange year for games, especially so for the release year of a new console generation. Sony in particular was abnormally silent at the beginning of 2020, but now the PS5 is coming out in full force. At first it seemed like there weren't too many definitive games to encourage day-one purchases, September's PS5 event basically threw that notion out of the window. There's now a slew of games, both old and new, coming to the PlayStation 5 at launch.
Along with several new games and existing games confirming release dates, there's now quite a few first and third-party games coming to the PS5 on November 12. Whether it's Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Assassin's Creed Valhalla, there's now several solid game releases coming day-and-date with PS5 that would justify purchasing Sony's next-gen console. Please note some of these games are also launch window games.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
This is the big ticket PS5 exclusive. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the next web-slinging Marvel adventure from Insomniac Games, that serves as a standalone story where Miles takes up the reigns as Spider-Man. It's unclear if this game is an interquel, side story, or other variation, but Miles Morales plays very differently from Peter Parker's Spider-Man. Utilizing his Venom Strike abilities, coupled with his own variations on Spider-Man abilities, Spider-Man: Miles Morales brings one of the best superhero gaming franchises to next-gen.
Godfall
Another console exclusive is Godfall, the "looter-slasher" making its way to PS5 and PC this holiday. Players assume their roles as Valorian Knights, ascending a grand tower to stop an impending apocalypse. Throughout the game, players discover various forms of loot in weapons and Valorplates, the legendary armor found throughout the game. Melee and magical combat is the name of the game in Godfall, as players work (either in singleplayer or coop) to defeat their enemies.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft's next entry in its flagship franchise, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, is also coming on the PS5's launch. Jumping back to a 9th century Viking setting, players will hop into the shoes of Eivor the assassin throughout northern Europe. Naval exploration, establishing settlements, and of course Viking raids will keep players busy throughout the entire adventure.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Alongside Valhalla is another entry in the Watch Dogs franchise, Watch Dogs: Legion. Taking a much more ambitious approach than previous games, Watch Dogs: Legion allows players to control basically every character in the game. Players recruit various members of the resistance against Albion, a militaristic super corporation that's enacted martial law on London. Each character has their own unique attributes, whether they're a drone expert or construction worker, that can fit any mission's requirements.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Of course, Ubisoft's esports hit Rainbow Six Siege makes its way to PS5 as well. All of the wall-banging fun of attacking and defending transfers over to next-gen with a free upgrade, so long as players own existing versions on PS4.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
This year's annual release of Call of Duty makes a splash at launch with Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Taking place as a sequel to the original Black Ops, players get to join Mason and Woods alongside a new campaign mission during the 80s. And of course, for those more interested in multiplayer, the recent reveals and previews of Black Ops Cold War's multiplayer show a wonderful return to form for multiplayer. Considering all of the rumors leading up to the game's reveal, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has shaped up quite well.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
One surprising reveal from the PS5's September event was Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition. Bringing the hack-and-slash action to PS5 (and Xbox Series X), Vergil has returned as a playable character for Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition. Additionally, there will be several gameplay features like 1.2x gameplay speed and a new difficulty level to spice up the original. There also appears to be quite a few changes to the story through Vergil's perspective in the trailer, possibly bringing new perspective to Devil May Cry 5 as well.
Fortnite
Of course, given the sheer popularity of this game and its impact on the industry, Fortnite had to have been coming to PS5. Granted Fortnite was confirmed for next-gen previously, but now there's a few tidbits of info on the next-gen version of the game. Alongside Fortnite's season four of chapter two, ray-tracing is on the way, as well as an upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 at a later date.
Demon's Souls Remake
One of the biggest announcements from the PS5's reveal event was the Demon's Souls Remake from Bluepoint Games. Now, Demon's Souls is confirmed as a console launch exclusive for PS5. Thanks to the gameplay shown off in PS5's September event, the remake looks stunning compared to the original game. While the game was initially slated for PC and "other consoles" as well, it seems that was an error and Demon's Souls Remake is completely exclusive to PS5.
Control: Ultimate Edition
One of the more underrated gems from this past generation is making its way to PS5 this holiday: Control: Ultimate Edition. Despite the controversial free upgrade snafu from 505 games, the base game and all its DLC (including the most recent Alan Wake-themed expansion) are coming to PS5 (and Xbox Series X) on launch.
NBA 2K21
This year's entry, NBA 2K21, will be making its way to PS5 on launch day. All of the usual 2K gameplay is bolstered by roster updates, as well as cross-progression from current-gen versions of 2K21 to PS5. Although if players purchase the standard edition on PS4/Xbox One, they will not be entitled to a free next-gen upgrade, which means paying full price at $69.99 on PS5.
Madden NFL 21
Same deal with Madden, which will also be making its way to PS5 on launch. Although Madden NFL 21 in particular has caused some controversy among football gaming fans, the game still continues to be a best-seller for EA. The usual roster updates and adjustments are there, despite fans complaining about lack of additional gameplay content. That being said, at least Madden NFL 21 has a limited "dual entitlement" free upgrade program, so fans can jump from current-gen versions to PS5 for free up until March 31, 2021.
FIFA 21
Again, same thing with the next annual entry in the FIFA franchise. Expect the usual roster updates and general adjustments made each year, like usual. As another EA sports title, FIFA 21 is also part of the "dual entitlement" program that allows for a free upgrade to PS5 until March 31, 2021.
Destiny 2
For those on the looter-shooter spectrum of gaming fans, the redeemed Destiny 2 will be making its way to PS5 (and Xbox Series X) on launch. Alongside the new Destiny 2: Beyond Light expansion, fans will get to tackle the Darkness' return to the solar system. Destiny 2 is also part of the free upgrade program for PS5 from current-gen, along with both cross-progression and cross-content DLC carryover as well.
Outriders
Jumping into the looter-shooter fray as well is Outriders, another cross-gen title making its debut on PS5 (as well as PS4, Xbox One/Xbox Series X) at launch. As another sci-fi looter shooter, Outriders evokes a very different take from Destiny's flavor of looter-shooter, following a cross-planetary expedition with comrades to discover the source of their mysterious powers.
Jett: The Far Shore
An interesting indie title from Superbrothers and Pine Scented, JETT: The Far Shore is a whimsical and intriguing space exploration game coming to the PS5's launch. Players are searching for a suitable new habitat for a human-like species on the brink of collapse. Zooming across the mysterious planet's surface on their "jett," the open world beckons players to explore and discover what's on the surface.
Bugsnax
Bugsnax is about as strange as it gets when it comes to the PS5's launch titles. Exploring a living food-world full of different delicacies, players explore Snaktooth Island in the quest to document the discovery of the "Bugsnaxes" themselves. Eating the various food-like creatures transforms various body parts into those foods in random ways, making things very... Strange.
PlayStation Plus Collection
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the PS Plus Collection, a multitude of best-selling PS4 games coming to the PS5 at launch. Presumably PlayStation's competitor to Xbox Game Pass, the PS Plus Collection includes several games like God of War, Bloodborne, Uncharted 4, Persona 5, and several more. All of these games come to PS Plus subscribers at no additional charge, and will be available to install and play as soon as the PS5 launches.
That's every game currently confirmed for PlayStation 5, coming this November. While just a few months earlier the launch lineup for PS5 was looking a little slim, September's showcase changes that wholeheartedly. Now, with games like Demon's Souls Remake and Black Ops Cold War coming at launch, there's plenty of reasons to opt-in for a PS5 at launch.
The PS5 launches on November 12, 2020.
